Of course it's all a farce. This idea that when we start a new year, it's the perfect time to fix everything we don't like about ourselves. Our weight, a habit or vice, whatever. It defies logic, yet I'm among the millions of people who write a list, or maybe just think about the things I want to change.
The concept is noble, but is anyone successful in their quest to improve this way? Like suddenly, years of bad habits will instantly be erased, from sheer will power, because the date and year on the calendar have turned?
That doesn't mean we shouldn't still try. I can only speak for myself, but maybe the problem is that a year is just too long. By the time we reach November, we've all been through hell. I haven't met anyone EVER who said "Gee, I'm so disappointed the year is almost over. It's been a great one, I wish it would never end!"
Even when things are going great, which is rare, the year can never end fast enough for me. Not that I love January, because, frankly I don't. The only reason I like February is because it's short. March holds the promise of spring but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired most of the time (talking about the weather here, mostly.)
I've strayed from my original point. Maybe I should resolve not to be so long winded. It can be added to all the other resolutions I've made year after year.
1. Get in shape
2. Drink more water
3. Exercise
4. Be more productive
5. Get organized
Do any of these sound familiar? I have such good intentions, but I can't seem to break the cycle of being myself. That means, the inability to reinvent myself. The harder I try to eat less, give up the foods that cause inflammation, push myself to walk more than 3,000 steps, the more I tend to fail. I'm done with setting myself up for failure. That leads nowhere.
As I'm writing this, I still don't have a solution, or even any advice for someone who clicked on this by accident thinking I had some great secret to reveal. I don't. It's still all trial and error for me, and all I can do is keep trying, and maintain a positive attitude.
I've heard that vision boards are a way for people to magically obtain the things that desire. How weird is that? If pasting pictures of positive images and words on a piece of cardboard, and looking at it every day will really help, maybe I should give it a try-it can't hurt, right? How much of this method is positive thinking? Is it a placebo effect, and it works because we think it will? I have no idea.
One of my dad's favorite sayings was "Thoughts are things". He was convinced that some people's thoughts, when allowed to spiral out of control, could become bigger than life. For example, someone obsessed with cancer will end up getting it. A self-fulfilling prophesy.
The same with positive thoughts. Some people are able to do incredible things just because they believe they can. I'm sure it's not that simple. It usually takes lots of hard work and perseverance to accomplish a goal in addition to the belief in their dream.
Maybe the key is to listen to all those cliches. Take one step at a time. One day at a time. Never give up. If you can dream it, you can do it. No pain, no gain. You snooze, you lose. And my favorite (hint: it's the name of this blog) LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!!
Not that anyone is asking for my advice, but here are the conclusions I've come to on January 3, 2023.
Live every day to the fullest. Some days will be better than others. Just do the best you can, and if your best is only 40% some days and you give it your all, then it was really 100%.
Who knows what the future holds? Figure out what you want, what it takes to get it, and keep on plugging. If necessary, reassess the goal if the sacrifices to get it are too high.
Learn to live in the moment. Try not to stress over things you can't change, or don't really matter in the big picture. Be good to yourself, and make time for things that are important to you.
We don't need a calendar to tell us when it's time to make changes. Every day is a new day, a clean slate, a new chance. Never give up on your dreams, and remember how much you are loved. Without you, the world would be an entirely different place. But you won't know until it's over, the incredible impact you've made. So just take my word for it.
Happy New Year- go get 'em!! May this be your best year ever. Believe it.
